On the other side of the river on the county farm is a cemetery, in which are the graves of 3,000 unfortunates who found the struggle with the world was too much for them, died at the county home and were buried in the potter's field.
The county home was established in 1823, and 3 cemeteries have been filled with those dying there in the past 70 years. The first cemetery, started in 1825, was between the present hospital building and the orchard. Later another was established in one of the back fields in a southeasterly direction from the main buildings. About 20 years ago the bodies were taken up and moved to the present location, on the road leading from Shillington to the Centre house, perhaps a mile from the home. It lies on high ground, covers 1 1/2 acres and is surrounded by a pale fence. It is not kept in the excellent order of Charles Evans, but the grounds are quite presentable. At first small head boards, containing the name of the deceased, were placed at each grave, but most of these have become weather beaten or rotted away, with nothing to show who is buried beneath. During the past 15 years this has been changed, and each grave is now numbered, by which the identity of those buried there is easily established.
The first burial was that of John Fisher, coming from Amity, who died Nov.20, 1825. Five others died the same year. To show the mortuary at the county home, which is a fair sample of succeeding years, the deaths are given by years until 1837. In 1826 there were 35 deaths; 1827, 18; 1928, 17, 1829, 22; 1830, 24; a831, 18; 1832, 9; 1833, 11; 1834, 22; 1835, 23; 1836, 25; and 1837, 19. In 1872 a small-pox epidemic broke out in the institution which resulted in 11 deaths, with 10 from the same cause they year following. There was another in 1881, which resulted in 13 dying from the effects of it. The mortuary record was highest in 1883, when there were 79 deaths from different causes. In May, 1891, during the severe grip epidemic then prevailing, there were 16 deaths from that cause.
During the earlier years of the institution many of those dying there had friends who took charge of the remains and they were buried in the yard adjoining the church they had attended during their more prosperous days. A register is kept in Steward Gilbert's office where the name, age, disease, condition and former place of residence and the date and number of death are given. This register shows that 5,583 have died there since 1825, but Clerk Deck, in looking over it, has found a number of errors in numbering, which had placed the number 2,403 too much, thus making the correct number 3,080. The last burial took place Feb. 26, 1896, the remains of a child found about a year before in a bake oven in Lower Heidelberg. The remains has been in the coroner's charge pending an investigation. There have been very few burials of late, being those of travelers, who, in going from place to place, were killed on their way, and had no place to be taken to except the potter's field.
While inmates were still buried on the farm, the funeral services were similar to those of other people. The chaplain conducted services in the chapel, where music was rendered by a choir, after which interment was made. The funerals were generally attended by most of the other inmates who had known the deceased.
In 1883 the Legislature passed the anatomical law, which directed that all persons dying in places of this kind, whose bodies were not claimed, should be sent to the anatomical board in Philadelphia, from where they found their way to the dissecting table of the medical colleges. But, few bodies were sent from Berks, as the directors were adverse to it, and many of the dying paupers pleading to have their bodies buried. In 1891 the institution was visited by a special agent, who left strict orders that unless the directors observed the law to the letter they would be proceeded against. Since then all have been sent away coming within the provisions of the law. If the body is claimed the name, residence and relation of the claimant is taken. A body can not be taken away by anyone except a relative by blood or marriage.
Submitted by Betty.
Last Modified